David Foster Wallace

Humor Essay Many works of literature today have persuasive strategies incorporated in them to grab the reader’s attention. Most of the time, writers also use strategies such as humor to send a crucial message to the audience. While this is one effective way of sending a message, other writers utilize formal writing to express the seriousness of a problem. Both methods are effective in getting a message across; however, writing without humor is stronger than those with humor because it is…

academia of the Stanford community. Nevertheless, my desire to combat stereotypes and cliches allowed me to not only be admitted into Stanford, but search for a greater form of thought. Just like greater thinkers John H. Newman, Gerhard Casper, David Foster Wallace, and Robert Harrison, I aspire to develop a form of educational methodology that will allow me to transpose into the realm of history’s incredible thinkers. In this paper, I will implement these thinkers’ guidance to…

Before proceeding to read “Considering the Lobsters” by David Foster Wallace the title of this article caught me by surprise, it is evident that this reading was going to be about Lobsters of course but it makes you think, what about them? Maybe the history of lobsters, where they came from, or maybe even the decrease or increase in population of these sea creatures. Wallace organizes this article starting out stating everything an individual needs to know about the (MLF) Maine Lobster Fest that…

faiths and values. Till this day there are many people still trying to ban abortion. “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway and “Good People” by Davide Foster Wallace both take place in different time periods, “Hills Like White Elephants”, by Ernest Hemingway was written In in August 1927 and “Good People”, by David Foster Wallace was published on February 2007. Both short stories are about a man trying to have their girlfriend go through with an abortion. However, not…

The Audacity of Sincerity I 'm being sincere here, I promise; but the thought of blazing a trail of sincerity in a world that is accustomed to lies is an audacious move that requires stern commitment. I have wondered time and time again that how did we get to the point where manipulation has become the norm; sincerity and irony have almost become synonymous. On the part of the pop artistes, I see a conundrum of insincerity that is necessitated by an audience that has developed “itchy ears” for…

of Scripps College. On May 21, 2005 Kenyon College graduation welcomed David Foster Wallace, an American novelist, for their commencement address. A prime example of Kidd’s statement, Wallace stated in the address that “suicide’s [victims] are actually long dead before they pull the trigger” (Wallace 4). His address titled This Is Water was delivered to the graduating class of 2005 before taking his own life in 2008. Wallace establishes trust with his audience through the use of informal…

notable Alumni, David Foster Wallace published many notable works which were met by mixed, but impressed critical reviews. In his article “This Is Water,” David Foster Wallace effectively encourages his audience to practice thinking in a way different from their “default setting,” in order to have a more peaceful, and open-minded lifestyle. Ironically, Wallace himself couldn't escape the depression that had plagued him for 20 years, and he committed suicide by hanging himself (Max 1). Wallace…

“Good People” by David Foster Wallace addressed a dilemma of the conflict between Christian beliefs and an unexpected pregnancy out of wedlock. Wallace introduces this situation to us through a third person narration via Lane A. Dean Jr.’s perspective of the situation. Lane and Sheri (Lane’s girlfriend who is pregnant) are sitting alone on a picnic table by the lake and trying to come to terms with the decision they have made together to abort this unwanted pregnancy. Wallace seems to have…

thought or emotion. Continuing this custom, writer David Foster Wallace delivered his compelling commencement speech aptly titled, “Commencement Speech,” to an audience of students at Kenyon College in 2005. His purpose is to make the audience aware of our ‘default-setting’ of thinking. His ability to connect with his audience via word choice and the examples of everyday life he provides, proves his speech to be effective. Within his speech, Wallace uses a tone that is both casual and yet…

Shipping Out and Into the Heart of Darkness I was relieved when I found out in Tom Scocca’s interview with David Foster Wallace that Harper’s magazine had the writer cut in half what was a 110-page article. I enjoyed reading the magazine’s published version, but was also more than ready for the cruise and the article to end when it did. I think I was possibly feeling a little of what Wallace was feeling, which is a credit to his descriptive and precise prose. “Shipping Out: On the (nearly…